Bringing Brad to Beantown

In a move that not many saw coming, the Boston Celtics have hired former Butler Bulldog head coach Brad Stevens.

Hoopsvibe's quick call: Stevens has been a great coach at the college level, and I have a feeling he will have similar success in the NBA.

In the wake of sending Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett to the Brooklyn Nets this offseason, the Celtics have done something they haven't done since 1997: they hired a head coach from the college level.

The organization officially announced the hiring of Brad Stevens Wednesday, as the new head coach of the Boston Celtics. It is the first time the team has brought on a college coach since they hired Rick Pitino in 1997.

The 36-year old Stevens, whose younger than Kevin Garnett, finished his career at Butler University with a 77.2 winning percentage; a record of 166-49 overall in five years as head coach. Stevens may look and be young, but he's a damn good coach. In 2010, he broke the NCAA record for the most wins in his first three years of coaching. He's known to possess a very calm, analytical coaching style; one that focuses on defense and team play. A style which is completely synergistic with Boston sports teams.

"Though he is young, I see Brad as a great leader who leads with impeccable character and a strong work ethic," Celtics GM Danny Ainge commented. "His teams always play hard and execute on both ends of the court. Brad is a coach who has already enjoyed lots of success, and I look forward to working with him towards Banner 18."

Stevens takes over a rebuilding franchise that just parted ways with veterans and have welcomed Gerald Wallace and Kris Humphries to compliment solid youngsters like Avery Bradley and Jeff Green. Something tells me that Stevens will prove his worth rather quickly.

Stevens' 166 wins at Butler were the most wins by any division 1 coach in the first six years of their career.